The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement has congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the occasion of the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, calling on citizens to remain patient, united and committed to the Nigerian project as the country continues through a period of economic reforms and transition.
In a press statement issued to journalists on Thursday, the National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, said Nigeria’s 66 years of independence represented not only an opportunity to celebrate the country’s resilience, but also a moment for citizens to reflect on the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers and the responsibility of the present generation to build a more prosperous country.
Asuku said the challenges confronting Nigeria should not diminish the faith of citizens in the country’s enormous potential, stressing that sustainable national development requires patience, consistency and a willingness to allow carefully designed reforms to produce their intended results.
According to him, “Nothing good comes easy,” adding that nations do not transform overnight and that the process of rebuilding an economy, strengthening institutions and creating sustainable opportunities necessarily requires time, sacrifice and collective commitment.
He acknowledged that the economic reforms introduced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration have imposed difficulties on many households and businesses, particularly through the removal of fuel subsidy and other major changes to the economy. However, he urged Nigerians to assess the reforms not only by the immediate difficulties they have created but also by the government’s stated objective of establishing a more sustainable economic foundation.
The National Coordinator noted that the Federal Government has described the current phase as a transition from reforms to stability and, ultimately, shared prosperity, with emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, education, investment, job creation and human-capital development.
“As Nigerians, we must understand that rebuilding a nation is a process. We may disagree on policies, we may demand better performance from our leaders, and we must continue to hold government accountable, but we should not lose faith in Nigeria or allow our present difficulties to make us abandon the hope of a better future,” he said.
Asuku further called on citizens to support peace, national unity and constructive democratic engagement, stressing that criticism and accountability remain essential components of democracy.
He said the anniversary should remind Nigerians that the country’s diversity remains one of its greatest assets and that development cannot be achieved when citizens are divided along ethnic, religious or regional lines.
“On this Independence Day, we must choose hope over despair, unity over division and constructive engagement over bitterness. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the responsibility for building the country we desire cannot be placed entirely on government. Citizens, businesses, civil society, professionals, religious institutions and community leaders all have important roles to play,” he stated.
The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement National Coordinator also commended Nigerians for their resilience in the face of economic and social challenges, saying the ability of citizens to continue working, investing, raising families and contributing to their communities remains a powerful demonstration of the Nigerian spirit.
He urged the Federal Government to remain responsive to the hardship being experienced by citizens and to ensure that the gains from economic reforms translate into tangible improvements in living standards, employment opportunities, infrastructure and access to basic services.
“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, our message is one of hope. We must give our country the opportunity to heal, rebuild and grow. Nothing good comes easy, and nation-building is certainly not an exception. The sacrifices of today must ultimately produce a better tomorrow for our children,” Asuku said.
He congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council, state governors, members of the National Assembly and Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory on the anniversary.
He also paid tribute to the nation’s founding fathers and all Nigerians who have contributed to the growth and survival of the country over the past 66 years.
Asuku called on Nigerians to use the anniversary to renew their commitment to peace, patriotism, national unity and the collective pursuit of a more prosperous Nigeria.
“May the Nigeria of our dreams become a reality. May our sacrifices today become the foundation for greater prosperity tomorrow, and may our nation continue to move towards stability, peace and shared prosperity,” he said.